The intended purpose of the reform is to liberalize labour relations and encourage employment, the government says.

Members of the Lithuanian Seimas are on Tuesday beginning to hear the package of amendments to the Labour Code which has been significantly adjusted by the parliamentary Committee of Social Affairs and Labour.

Committee chairwoman Kristina Miškinienė says that over the last six years, the committee has considered some 150 suggestions from organizations and individuals and almost 500 amendments proposed by other parliament members.

While trade unions concede that the amended Labour Code reform is relatively fair, they believe some provisions could not be conductive to employees' rights. Meanwhile employer organizations have criticized the bill, saying it has departed substantially from the initial version negotiated among employers, trade unions and the government.